Rearranging furniture in the kitchen often confronts owners with the need to change the direction of opening the door of the refrigeration unit. This is especially true for compact rooms, where every centimeter of space is worth its weight in gold. Reversing the door allows you to adapt the equipment to a new layout, making its use as comfortable and ergonomic as possible.
Many brand models Indesit were initially designed taking into account the possibility of changing the side of the hinge. However, the process requires care, a basic set of tools and a clear understanding of the design of the hinge mechanism. Errors at the dismantling stage can lead to skew of the canvas or damage to the seal.
In this article we will analyze in detail the reinstallation technology for various modifications, including double-chamber and single-chamber options. You will learn about the nuances of working with fittings and understand how to avoid common mistakes when doing your own repairs.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for safety, as you will be working with metal tools in close proximity to electrical components and wiring.
Required Tools and Workplace Preparation
Quality preparation is the key to successful completion of the procedure. You don't need complex professional equipment, but the set should be complete. The absence of the required wrench can lead to the edges of the bolts breaking off, which will significantly complicate the process.
To work with fasteners of most models Indesit most often you need an 8 mm or 10 mm wrench. It would also be a good idea to have hexagons on hand, since some screws may be hidden under decorative plugs.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or a ratchet head (sizes 8, 10, 13 mm)
- 🪛 Screwdrivers: flat and Phillips (for removing handles and plugs)
- 🧤 Construction gloves (protecting hands from sharp metal edges)
- 🧼 Clean rags (for wiping the hinges from old grease)
Free up space around the refrigerator. You need to provide access to the unit from all sides in order to be able to move freely and set aside parts to be removed. Cover the floor with cardboard or soft cloth to avoid damaging the floor covering with a fallen tool or bolt.
☑️ Ready to rehang
Design analysis and model compatibility
Not all refrigerators can be rehung. Before starting work, make sure that your model Indesit supports this option. This usually applies to modern two-chamber units and most single-chamber versions released over the past 15 years.
Carefully inspect the end of the housing. On the opposite side there should be technological holes closed with plastic plugs. If the end is solid metal without any signs of holes, then, alas, re-weighing in your case is technically impossible without serious modification of the body.
Particular attention should be paid to the handles. In some models they are asymmetrical or have a complex shape that does not require installation on the other side. Also check for the presence of a magnetic lock or system No Frost with a specific arrangement of air ducts that may interfere with opening in the other direction.
| Model type | Freezer location | Possibility of overweight | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single chamber | No (common chamber) | Yes | Simple design, 2 loops |
| Two-chamber | Bottom | Yes | Requires removal of 3-4 loops |
| Two-chamber | Top | Yes | Need an assistant for the top door |
| Side-by-Side | Side by side | No | No design provides |
Dismantling of door panels and upper hinges
The process begins from the top of the unit. First, remove the decorative trim from the top hinge. It can be held on by latches or a small screw. Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the plastic, being careful not to scratch the surface.
After removing the trim, you will see the mounting bolts. They need to be unscrewed, but not completely removed if you are working alone. It is better to ask an assistant to hold the door so that it does not fall on your feet or damage the seal.
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator door is heavier than it seems. A sharp distortion when unscrewing the last bolt can lead to injury or deformation of the hinge.
After removing the top door, move on to the middle hinge (if you have a two-chamber refrigerator). The algorithm of actions is similar: remove the decor, unscrew the bolts, remove the canvas. It is important not to lose the washers and bushings that can be installed between the hinge and the body.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the fasteners do not give way, do not use excessive force so as not to strip the threads. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. Repeat the procedure if necessary. It is not recommended to heat it with a hairdryer so as not to damage the plastic case and seal.
Moving the fittings to the opposite side
Now you need to move all the dismantled elements to the other end. Take the top hinge and install it in its original place on the opposite side. Secure with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet in order to be able to adjust.
Install the door leaves back. First, the bottom door (or the only one) is hung, then the middle one, then the top one. Insert the hinge pins into the corresponding holes at the ends of the doors. Make sure that the panels are level and that nothing interferes with their tight fit.
At this stage, it is important to check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself. If the unit is positioned crookedly, then even properly hung doors will not close tightly or, conversely, too tightly. Use a building level and adjustable legs for leveling.
- 📐 Check the level of the floor under the refrigerator
- 🔩 Adjust the height of the legs to compensate for the tilt
- 🚪 Make sure the hinges move freely after installation
Adjustment gaps and tightness
The final stage is fine tuning. After all the bolts are tightened, check the tightness sealing rubber round the entire perimeter. There should be no gaps, otherwise the cold will go away and the compressor will work without interruption.
If you notice a distortion, you can slightly loosen the middle hinge bolts and adjust the position of the door. Models Indesit often provide the ability to adjust the height of the door relative to the hinge using washers or changing the position of the fasteners.
Pay attention to the magnets in the seal. They should reliably “stick” to the body. If the door comes away in some place, it may be warped. Also check whether the door touches the body when opening 90 degrees.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
One of the common problems is ignoring the condition of the seal. When rehanging, the elastic is often removed or it becomes deformed. If the seal was damaged during dismantling, it must be replaced, otherwise the efficiency of the refrigerator will decrease.
Another mistake is confusing the installation of doors in three-chamber models or models with a freshness zone. Always remove and install doors sequentially to avoid confusion between sets of washers and bushings, which may vary in height.
Do not forget about the holes left on the old side. You need to insert the plastic plugs that came with the kit into them, or install those that were removed from the new side. This is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of protecting the metal from corrosion.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Yes, this is a mandatory procedure. Water may leak from the drainage channels when the doors are tilted or turned over. In addition, the ice in the evaporator can shift and damage the tubes due to vibration during work.
Is it possible to hang the door if the refrigerator is built into the furniture?
This is possible, but extremely difficult. You will need to pull the unit completely out of the niche to provide access to the ends. In some cases, it may be necessary to dismantle part of the furniture frame.
What to do if, after overweight, the door opens by itself?
Most likely, the angle of the body is broken. The door should open on its own only at an opening angle of more than 90 degrees (if provided for by the design). Check the adjustment of the front legs: the front of the refrigerator should be slightly raised relative to the back.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plastic plugs can be found at authorized service centers Indesit or order them using the catalog number of the spare part. As a last resort, the holes can be carefully sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the case.